Sport Review

BBC Jersey’s Roger Bara hosted the annual awards ceremony at the Ambassador Hotel on Thursday 20 March 2008.

It’s hard to believe a whole year has past since the good and the great of Jersey sport last gathered to celebrate twelve months of sporting achievements.

Once again there’s plenty of reason for celebration as Jersey sportsmen and women continue to excel on both a national and international stage.

Not forgetting of course the dedication of those behind the scenes who work hard to ensure local sport thrives.

JERSEY SPORTS COUNCIL SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR 2007

David Speller

17 year-old David Speller excels at two sports – bodyboarding and surf kayaking.

In October 2007 he retained his junior title in two disciplines at the World Surf Kayak Championships in Spain.

He’s junior world champion in both the short boat and high performance kayak classes, and during the heats in the team event he even managed to beat the senior world champion.

The teenager, who studies sports science at Highlands College, also won the British Student Surf Kayak Championships.

David, who was named Sportsperson of the Year in 2005 as well, became the Under-18 British Bodyboard champion and represented Jersey in the European team junior event.

Other nominees:

Daniel Richardson (Fullbore shooting)
Andrew Toporis (Jujitsu Masters World Champion)
Paul Clements (Triathlon)
Ailsa McDougall (Surf kayaking)
Bruce Dingle (Super Moto)

Halliwell has dedicated years to cricket in Jersey

COLIN WELSH MEMORIAL TROPHY – Unsung Hero

Ron Halliwell

The Colin Welsh Memorial Trophy recognises the ‘Unsung Heros’ of local sport – the people usually in the background doing things for the love of their sport, or sometimes just because no one else will!

Ron Halliwell is the person in cricket that anyone and everyone turns to whether they need advice or help – particularly when it comes to the laws of the game or the various leagues and fixture.

Us members of the media know just how dedicated he is and how accurate he always tries to be giving the information we need, and when we need it!

Other nominees:

Paul Daniel (Football)
Dave Ware (JSAD)
Jack Pallot (Shooting)

Blake was the flag bearer at the 2007 Island Games

SID GUY MEMORIAL AWARD – Outstanding Contribution

Bob Blake

Shooting veteran Bob Blake is largely responsible for Jersey’s overwhelming haul of medals at the Island Games over the years.

Not only he is a talented competitor but he’s a great administrator at all levels of the sport.

As a demonstration of just how respected Bob is amongst the sporting world he was given the honour of being the Jersey flag bearer at the 2007 Island Games.

Other nominees:

Linda Andrews (Netball)
Malcolm Banahan (Hockey)
Julia Falle (Gymnastics)
Betty McGough (Athletics)
Ray Pearce (Cricket)
Brian Rousseau (Boxing)
Beryl Taylor (Swimming)

PERPETUAL TEAM TROPHY

Joan Renouf collected the trophy for the Ladies 4s

Jersey Ladies Bowls Fours

Skip Lynsey Greechan, Liz Cole, Joan Renouf and Chrissie Grimes once again put Jersey on the map by winning gold at the World Atlantic Bowls Tournament in Scotland.

They beat 12 countries to first place, including an impressive 16-10 victory over Canada in the final.

Other nominees:

Jersey Wanderers Junior Football
Jersey Cricket
Sport Jujitsu Team (ineligible to win as they’re a Channel Island side)

HIGHLAND SPRING SHIELD – Achievement in disability sport

Godel won the top disability sport award

Samantha Godel

16 year-old Samantha Godel represented Great Britain at the Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai, where she won two silver and three bronze medals.

She’s been selected for the British Gymnastics GMPD National squad and has recently progressed to the highest level of Special Olympic Gymnastic routine – making her the first ever gymnast in the island to do so.

Runners up:
James Brady (Wheelchair Tennis)
Harry Smale (Special Gymnastics)

HIGHLAND SPRING BURSARY (£500)

Lizzie Johnson

Lizzie Johnson has been a member of the Jersey Surf Kayak club for a year and has already represented Jersey at the World Championships.

She’s been kayaking for a number of years and regularly helps younger members as well as improving her own performance.

Lizzie said she will put her bursary toward buying her own surf kayak for competition.

HIGHLAND SPRING BURSARY (£250)

John ‘JJ’ Gallichan

Swimmer JJ Gallichan was the youngest Jersey male competitor at the 2007 Island Games, but that didn’t stop him picking up an individual bronze and four team medals (including a gold) in the relays.

He’s a top ten national swimmer in his age-group and recently picked up a senior county title at the Hampshire County Championships.

CERTIFICATES OF MERIT

Paul Clements

Paul had his most successful year of triathlon performance to date. He took gold at the Island Games heading up an unforgettable Jersey 1-2-3.

He was third in his age group at the Monaco Half Ironman and took second place behind pro-triathlete Nick Sanders in the Ogier Jersey Triathlon.

Supermoto rider Dingle won a certificate of merit

Bruce Dingle

Bruce finished second overall in the Nora Super Moto Championship in the 450cc class and second in the open class.

He also qualified for the final of the International Super Moto Race in Belgium. On top of all that he led the field throughout the season at the Bouley Bay hill climbs.

Ailsa McDougall

Ailsa won every one of her team heats at the World Surf Kayaking Championships to help Jersey to a shared second place in the team competition.

She was the only lady to make it into the finals of the both the short and long kayak classes in the same event.

Denise Richards

Denise Richards received her certificate for her Jersey to France swim. The weather stopped her from even setting foot in the water for her two Channel swim attempt, so instead she made it a Jersey to France swim – which she completed in 12 hours and 59 minutes.

Daniel Richardson

Daniel was named Under-21 world open fullbore champion, he also won a silver medal in the long range Canadian fullbore championships and was the top CI marksman in the Long Range World Championships.

Andrew Toporis

Andrew won his third heavyweight Jujitsi Masters World Champion title and was also part of the bronze medal winning Jersey team at the world championship.